Geoff Nicholls

Tony wrote: "I'm so saddened to hear the loss of one of my dearest and closest friends Geoff Nicholls. He's been suffering for a while now with lung cancer and he lost his battle this morning.

"Geoff and I have always been very close and he has been a real true friend to me and supported me all the way for nearly 40 years. I will miss him dearly and he will live in my heart until we meet again. Rest In Peace my dear friend. Tony."

FEBRUARY

Bill Paxton

(Image: Gage Skidmore/Flickr)

Star of Aliens and Titanic, American actor Bill Paxton died due to surgical complications.

Hailing from Texas, Paxton appeared in a number of Hollywood hits including The Terminator, Twister, Predator 2 and a number of other high-profile films.

In a statement his family said: "It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery.

"Bill's passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable."

Neil Fingleton

The County Durham native was best-known for his portrayal of Mag the Mighty in HBO's Game of Thrones and as Doctor Who villain the Fischer King.

Moving to the US to pursue a career in basketball, Fingleton eventually found his calling in the acting industry.

Peter Skellern

Former pop star Peter Skellern died following a battle with brain cancer.

The singer, who had a hit in the 1970s with You're A Lady, was 69.

His family said: "Peter's creativity in art, comedy and music stand as his legacy to love and laughter.

"The love he brought to us will continue to be shared with everyone through his music.

"We will miss him with all our hearts."

Skellern was ordained as a priest and a deacon on the same day last year after being given special dispensation by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

Sara Coward

Archers icon Sara Coward died at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer.

Editor of the Radio 4 show Huw Kennair-Jones paid tribute to the actress, saying everyone who worked with her is "very sad" after hearing the news.

"Sara was a gifted actress with a unique voice," he went on.

"Even when she was navigating the tribulations of Caroline Sterling's love life, Sara's deft wit and clever characterisation meant Caroline was never solely defined by her relationships but always as a fully rounded, intriguing woman of substance.

"We will all miss her both professionally and personally."

Warren Frost

Twin Peaks star Warren Frost died aged 91.

The World War II veteran turned actor was known for his portrayal of Dr Will 'Doc' Hayward in the cult '90s TV series, which was co-created by his son, Mark Frost.

His family confirmed he passed away at his home in Middlebury, Vermont after a long illness.

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson

(Image: PA Photo/Georgie Clarke)

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson died aged just 45.

The former It girl, who appeared in the first series of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and was a close friend of the Royal Family, had recently revealed a secret year-long battle with a brain tumour.

Doctors discovered the tumour in January last year.

Alan Simpson

Sitcom writing icon Alan Simpson, one half of the much-loved Galton and Simpson duo, died at the age of 87.

Scriptwriter Simpson, famed for his writing partnership with Ray Galton, was part of the brain trust behind classics such as Steptoe and Son and Hancock's Half Hour.

"Having had the privilege of working with Alan and Ray for over 50 years, the last 40 as agent, business manager and friend, and latterly as Alan's companion and carer, I am deeply saddened to lose Alan after a brave battle with lung disease," said manager Tessa Le Bars.

Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau died at the age of 76.

The acclaimed vocalist from Milwaukee boasted a 42 year career in the music industry, with hits including Breakin' Away, Boogie Down and Never Givin' Up.

Jarreau continued touring and performing until the month before his death.

He remains the only artist to have won a Grammy award in the jazz, pop and R&B categories.

Richard Hatch

Richard Hatch, the star of the original Battlestar Galactica series, passed away aged 71 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, his manger confirmed to Variety.

Hatch played Captain Apollo in the original Battlestar series, which aired from 1978-79, a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination for best actor in a television series - drama.

He also had a role in the 2003 reimagined series, playing Tom Zarek.

MARCH

Colin Dexter

The author of Inspector Morse, Colin Dexter, died peacefully in his Oxford home at the age of 86.

An alumni of Cambridge University, Dexter wrote the series between 1975 and 1999, which were later adapted by ITV Studios between 1987 and 2000.

The TV series was so popular that a sequel series, Lewis, and a prequel series, Endeavour, were made.

Joni Sledge

Star of Sister Sledge Joni passed away at the age of 60. The band, most known for their hit We Are Family, expressed considerable grief at her passing.

In a statement they said: "On yesterday, numbness fell upon our family. We welcome your prayers as we weep the loss of our sister, mother, aunt, niece and cousin Joni Sledge.

"We thank you for privacy as we hurt for her presence, but also for embracing her radiance and the sincerity with which she loved life."

Chuck Berry

Musical icon Chuck Berry died at the age of 90.

The rock n' roll legend - known as the father of that movement - had been producing music since the 1950s and wrote pioneering tracks such as Johnny B Goode.

His first No.1 came in 1972 with My Ding-a-Ling.

He was the great-grandchild of African-American slaves, and his parents, Martha and Henry Berry, migrated from the South during World War I to St Louis in search of work.

John Forgeham

Best known for his work in Footballers' Wives, in which he played Frank Laslett, John Forgeham sadly passed away aged 75.

He also had a role in The Italian Job and graduated from the Royal Academy of Drama in 1964.

His friend, the scriptwriter Simon Golding, paid tribute to John, tweeting: "So very sad to hear today the loss of my good friend, actor John Forgeham. A larger-than-life character & such a powerful actor. RIP John x."

APRIL

Tim Pigott-Smith

Tim Pigott-Smith died at home on April 7, aged 70.

The British actor, best known for his role in the BAFTA-winning The Jewel in the Crown TV series, was described as "one of the greatest actors of his generation" by his agent.

The actor leaves behind his wife, Pamela Miles, and their son Tom.

Jonathan Demme

Jonathan Demme, the director of huge films including Silence Of The Lambs, Philadelphia and Rachel Getting Married, passed away at the age of 73.

A source close to his family revealed to IndieWire that his cause of death was esophageal cancer and complications from heart disease.

He had originally been treated for his cancer in 2010 but it returned in 2015, with his condition declining in recent weeks.

Jonathan leaves behind his wife Joanne Howard and his three children, Ramona, Brooklyn and Jos.

David Parry-Jones

The veteran Welsh broadcaster, who once presented the BBC Wales flagship news programme Wales Today, died at the age of 83 following a battle with dementia.

Born in Pontypridd, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2009 and his wife, broadcaster Beti George, fronted a TV programme just weeks before he passed away on caring for someone with the disease.

Erin Moran

Erin Moran, best known for playing Joanie Cunningham on Happy days, died on April 22.

According to TMZ, the actress was found unresponsive on Saturday afternoon by authorities in Indiana.

Henry Winkler, who starred opposite Moran as The Fonz in the iconic series, tweeted: "OH Erin...now you will finally have the peace you wanted so badly here on earth. Rest In It serenely now...too soon."

Michael Bogdanov

Neath-born theatre director Michael Bogdanov died while on holiday in the Greek island of Paros.

The 78-year-old had directed plays across the world including with the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal Opera House, Sydney Opera House, Broadway and the West End, and was chief executive of Germany’s largest national theatre, the Deutsches Schauspielhaus in Hamburg, from 1989 to 1992.

Michael Parks

Writer and close friend Kevin Smith announced the news to legions of fans over Twitter.

He played French-Canadian drug runner Jean Renault in the ABC television series Twin Peaks and on the official "Kill Bill" website it proclaims that he is "frequently cited by longtime fan Quentin Tarantino as the world's greatest living actor."

The Leeds-born actor was the star of many British TV series, including children's show Catweazle and the BBC's Watch, in which he played Magic Grandad in 1995.

But it was his role as the Crowman in Worzel Gummidge that put Geoffrey's name on the map, as the programme ran from 1979 until 1981.

Robert Miles

Trance DJ and producer Robert Miles passed away aged 47.

The Swiss-born star, who was most famous for his '90s smash-hit Children, died from an unreported illness.

Miles, real-name Robert Concina, scored a number one hit in six countries with his iconic floor-filler before moving on to more experimental sounds; eventually setting up Open Lab (a Balearic radio station).

JUNE

Barry Norman

Barry Norman, the famous film critic, died at the age of 83.

Norman, who was also known for TV presenting and writing, leaves behind his two daughters, Samantha and Emma.

In a statement they called him "remarkable", adding: "He had a great life, a wonderful marriage and an enviable career."

Norman hosted BBC One's "Film…" show between 1972 and 1998 - its longest running host - as well as writing for the Daily Mail and the Guardian.

Michael Bond

Revered creator of Paddington Bear, Michael Bond passed away at the age of 91.

According to his publisher, HarperCollings, Bond died after a short illness.

Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher of HarperCollins Children's Books, said: "I feel privileged to have been Michael Bond's publisher - he was a true gentleman, a bon viveur, the most entertaining company and the most enchanting of writers.

"He will be forever remembered for his creation of the iconic Paddington, with his duffle coat and wellington boots, which touched my own heart as a child and will live on in the hearts of future generations.

"My thoughts and love are with his wife, Sue and his children Karen and Anthony."

Peter Sallis

Actor Peter Sallis , who starred in Last of the Summer Wine, died aged 96.

Sallis played Norman Clegg in the long-running BBC comedy from 1973 until 2010.

He was also well known for voicing the character of Wallace in Nick Park's Wallace and Gromit series of stop motion animated films.

Adam West

Adam West , who played Batman in the iconic 60s TV show, passed away aged 88 after a short battle with leukaemia.

The actor portrayed the Caped Crusader on the small screen from 1966 to 1968. In later years, West also regularly appeared on animated comedy Family Guy, voicing a fictional version of himself.

More recently, Adam reprised his Batman role in animated movie Return of the Caped Crusaders and video game Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham.

Roy Barraclough

Roy Barraclough , star of Coronation Street , passed away aged 81.

Best known for playing Eric Gilroy in the ITV series for 22 years, Barraclough died after a short illness according to his agent.

As well as Coronation Street, Barraclough appeared in Casualty, Last Of The Summer Wine, Last Tango In Halifax and appeared in the BBC's one-off tribute to Are You Being Served? as Mr Grainger.

Commenting on his death, Gavin Barker Associates said in a statement: "Our client Roy Barraclough has passed away today aged 81 after a short illness."

Lyn James

Lyn James, best known for her long-running role as Helen Gordon in The Young Doctors, died age 87.

Born Margaret James in the Rhondda Valley, she rose to fame appearing as a receptionist in the Australian soap from its inception in the 1970s until it ended seven years later.

The actress – mother to son Nicholas and fellow actress and daughter Sally, who is best known for her role in The Young Doctors as well as Waterloo Station and Sons and Daughters – was married to New Zealand TV producer Eric Tayler, who died in 1997.

JULY

Deborah Watling

Doctor Who actress Deborah Watling, prictured above with her father, passed away six weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Watling began her acting career aged just 9 years old, but her big TV break came when she landed the role of companion in Doctor Who, alongside the 2nd Doctor Patrick Troughton.

He also starred in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit as Judge Ridenour.

The news was announced in a statement by his longtime agent Larry Goldhar, who revealed Atkin had passed away in Toronto on Monday night following a long illness.

Carol Lee Scott

Carol Lee Scott, best known as her character Grotbags and pictured above in panto with Windsor Davies, died at the age of 74 after a battle with cancer.

She first appeared as Grotbags the witch in Emu's World in January 1982, and starred alongside various companions including cowardly crocodile Croc, mechanical butler Robot Redford, and fawning manservant Grovel, and would often sing.

In 1991, she was the voice of Grotbags in the cartoon series Rod 'n' Emu, and she was also given her own spin off series of Grotbags - which ran for 29 episodes across three series.

John Heard

(Image: Getty Images North America)

The actor who was best known for playing Kevin's dad Peter McCallister in the Home Alone movies was found dead in a Californian hotel room. He had suffered a heart attack.

The 72-year-old was also nominated for an Emmy for his guest appearance in The Sopranos.

More recently, he starred in cult hit movie Sharknado .

Hywel Bennett

The Welsh actor, who was born in Garnant, Carmarthenshire, passed away in July at the age of 73.

More recently seen in EastEnders , he shot to fame during the '70s in TV sitcom Shelley which attracted up to 18 million viewers a week.

Originally broadcast between 1979 and 1984, he played James Shelley, an intelligent unemployed layabout with a degree.

Initially running for six series, viewers loved the sarcasm of the character and it made Bennett a household name.

Sam Shepard

(Image: AP)

Actor Sam Shepard died on July 30 aged 73 at his home in Kentucky,

He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1979 for his play Buried Child and was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in The Right Stuff as pilot Chuck Yeager.

AUGUST

Robert Hardy

(Image: Western Mail Archive)

Actor Robert Hardy star of All Creatures Great and Small and Harry Potter, sadly passed away on August 3 aged 91.

A graduate from Oxford University, Hardy was best known for his role as senior veterinarian Siegried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small and also appeared in Inspector Morse, Manhunt and Edward the Seventh.

Glen Campbell

The country music legend died, aged 81, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.

The Rhinestone Cowboy singer was a self-taught prodigy, who rose from a poor rural childhood to release over 70 albums and sell 45 million records.

He was credited with paving the way for other country crossover artists such as Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

Jerry Lewis

(Image: Invision)

The American comedian, actor, singer, producer and director was known for his slapstick humour in film, television, stage and radio. From 1946 to 1956, he and Dean Martin were partners as the hit popular comedy duo of Martin and Lewis.

From then on, he became a solo star in films, television shows, concerts, album recordings and musicals.

Bruce Forsyth

Legendary entertainer and face of dance show Strictly Come Dancing , Bruce Forsyth died at the age of 89.

Bruce is recognised by the Guinness World Records as having the longest television career for a male entertainer.

He shot to fame in the mid-1950s on ITV series Sunday Night at the London Palladium, before hosting shows like The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right, The Price Is Right and You Bet!

The star also co-presented Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2013, and was well known for his catchphrase, "Nice to see you, to see you nice" – which went on to be voted the most popular UK catchphrase in 2007 by the British public.

SEPTEMBER

Liz Dawn

The cast of Coronation Street paid tribute to Liz Dawn following her death aged 77.

The actress became a fan favourite playing Corrie's Vera Duckworth for more than 30 years.

Dawn first appeared in Coronation Street in 1974 before her character moved into number nine along with husband Jack, played by the late Bill Tarmey.

After being diagnosed with emphysema, Dawn was written out of the soap in 2008 when Vera died in her sleep.

Two years later, she made a moving comeback as the much-loved Corrie resident.

Just before he passed away, Jack saw a vision of the wife who had spent years nagging him and they shared a last dance together.

In 2012, Tarmey died in Spain and Dawn described him as a "lovely man and a true gentleman".

William G Stewart

Former Fifteen To One host William G Stewart passed away on September 21 after a brief illness.

A producer and director, Stewart became a household name when he presented the general knowledge quiz which ran from 1988 until 2003.

Tony Booth

(Image: PA)

Tony Booth was an actor who found new fame when his daughter's husband became prime minister.

To television viewers in the 1960s he was "Scouse git" Mike, the long-haired left-wing son-in-law of right-wing Cockney Alf Garnett in Till Death Us Do Part.

Later in life he became better known for his real-life role as father-in-law of Tony Blair - grey-haired now but still left-wing and, as such, an occasional thorn in the PM's side.

Hugh Hefner

(Image: AP)

The founder of Playboy, Hugh Hefner died at the age of 91.

A spokesman said he died "peacefully" from "natural causes" at his home The Playboy Mansion in Hollywood "surrounded by loved ones."

Hefner launched Playboy magazine in 1953 and the X-rated brand spawned TV and film companies and the famous mansion where he lived alongside dozens of his 'Bunnies'.

Always presiding over his realm in silk pajamas and a smoking jacket while puffing on a pipe, Hefner had three wives and claimed to have slept with more than 1,000 women in his lifetime.

He is survived by his 31-year-old wife Crystal, four children, Christie, who served as CEO of Playboy Enterprise for more than 20 years, David, Marston and Cooper, who currently serves as Chief Creative Officer at the company.